November Falls - 15. Chapter 15 - Brady

Chapter 15

Brady

Monday again, I made sure I arrived at work with enough time to make a coffee while Mags went through what was on the books for the week, then found a vacant seat away from Ember and Justin. Talk about awkward, It is not that I’m trying to avoid Ember, I am just not sure how to act around him now. His face lit up winking at me when I walked into the lunch room, which gave me butterflies in my stomach. I feel like I am sixteen again. Next to him was my other case of anxiety – Justin.

After Ember left my house yesterday, Justin rang apologising for making me feel uncomfortable. He sounded sincere, he also told me he would not tell anyone. What choice do I have but to believe him, all I can do is hope he doesn’t bring it up today at work. I took a seat next to Basher, who seems to be warming up to me. Well, he was until the kiss on Friday anyway.

“Hey,” Basher mumbled.

Okay maybe we are still on good terms, it is the most he has said to me since I started so I will take it as a win.

“Justin, you and Brady are booked up this week, but for the first time in a long time there isn’t a waiting list, plus we’ve taken on more jobs. Well done guys…” I kind of switched off after that because the rest didn’t really concern me. As I took my last mouthful of coffee, the guys all stood up, so I blindly followed suit wandering to our workshop. Justin caught up falling into step with me.

“Morning,” Justin said smiling warmly, “ready for another busy week, this should be a little easier than last week. Mags is a whiz at scheduling jobs to make our life easier.”

“Yeah,” I answered, we walked the rest of the way in silence. He didn’t bring up yesterday’s unfortunate incident or give me another apology. It seems Justin is a good guy and true to his word, I think he may become a good friend. Life would be better with good friends around, Maybe I should review some of the friendships I have around here, i.e. Paul. I should clean house getting rid of the crap, I didn’t really have a lot of friends back in the city. I had Linda and the kids, as well as Gordon my roommate through university; who according to Novy, is now dating Linda. Which I am completely okay with. It is weird, but he will treat her right, I hope so.

Around ten-thirty I had finished the third stereo install, “Hey Just, you want a coffee?”

Justin poked his head out, he is sitting inside a Toyota replacing the instrument board, “Yeah, please. See if Mags has any of the shortbread cookies too,” he sat back in the car, but I heard him say something about loving shortbread. Chuckling I picked up the clipboards for the jobs we had finished this morning. That reminds me, at next week’s meeting I want to bring up modernizing the job sheets to be electronic. Streamlining the process will save everyone a lot of time and make Mags job lighter. It should also help with ordering parts: improving delivery times and keeping up stock levels of the most commonly used parts.

“Brady,” Justin called as I went for the coffees.

“I’ll give these completed jobs to Mags on my way,” I flashed the clipboards up for him to see. He gave me a lopsided grin and a thumbs up then went back to work. The sun reflected off the back rear window of a black, Toyota truck as young Troy backed it out of his and Embers workbay. Troy waved as I walked by and he drove off to no doubt give it a test drive. Knowing Ember would be alone I went through his workshop to get to the office trying to catch a glimpse of him.

Ember was hot when he was a teenager, today at close to forty he is a spectacular specimen of masculinity not to mention fucking gorgeous. Clearly, I have an addiction, can’t be helped, Ember is…

I was disappointed that Ember is not in the workshop, I just wanted a little fix. I headed straight to the front office to drop the clipboards off to Mags, I opened the sliding door walking right up to her desk casually placing the job sheets in her basket. She smiled up at me with a wink while she talked on the phone to a customer. My phone vibrated in my pocket, the closest place to take the call was the break room.

“Hello Sweetheart,” I answered the call.

“Hello, Dad,” my daughter Katie replied.

My heart breaks a little every time I talk to her on the phone. I feel like she is so far away, the decision to move back home killed me knowing that Katie wouldn’t be close. In the end, I didn’t really have a choice. I miss her so much, sometimes I want to jump in the car and drive the two and a bit hours to see her. That is crazy though, I mean she’s almost twenty and has her own life going on.

“How are you, everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Katie was silent for a moment, “When do you think you’ll be coming down to the city next?”

Something was wrong in her voice, I did not want to pry, not now while I am at work anyway.

“Actually, I am coming this weekend. Do you think you’ll have some time for your Dad?”

We weren’t actually going to be in the city, just the other side of it. Probably only a thirty-minute drive so I would make the time to see her. I am sure Ember would not mind if I disappear for a couple of hours. I would take Novy with me to see his sister, but I have a feeling there might be a purpose for this visit. God, I hope she is okay. I will not be able to do anything but worry now until I see her for myself.

“I will always have time for you Dad, did you want to meet me on Saturday about sixish at that café we all used to go to for brunch on Sundays?”

“Sounds perfect Sweetheart.”

Hmm, wants to meet me somewhere other than her place, That’s new and worrisome.

“Okay, I have a lecture, I had better get a move on. Love you, Dad, see you Saturday.”

Katie ended the call.

I shoved my phone into my back pocket, as I went to pick up the two coffee’s I had made during the phone call, a hand snaked around my waist. I felt Ember’s warmth pressed against my back, the mix of his cologne with the unmistakable scent of Ember filled my senses. My feet welded in place, I could not move even if I wanted to. His lips brushed against my ear, his warm breath rolling across my cheek.

“I’ve wanted to do that all day, you wouldn’t believe how hard, it’s been to keep my hands off you,” Ember whispered.

I chuckled, “It’s only ten thirty, it hasn’t been all day,” feeling my face flush at his attention.

“It’s gonna be a long, hard day,” Ember replied.

A cheeky smile broke across his face, the noise of Troy returning with the Toyota resonated through to the break room. Ember walked off without another word, but he did manage to gently smack my ass before he moved away. Right on cue as Ember was leaving the break room, Basher bumped right into him. Basher looked at my red face, then at Ember as he scooted away. Every damn time! The guy is never going to warm up to me.

<>-<>-<>

Me: Novy, you’re on your own for dinner. There’s money in my top dresser drawer for pizza – only one beer.

Novy: Yes Mum

Me: Don’t be a smartarse

Novy: Feelin’ the love tonight Dad

“Done,” I told Ember as we walked into the bistro at ‘The Yard.’

We sat down at the bar and ordered a round of drinks and a meal. Then chatted while we were watching the cricket.

“If you keep amping me up like that at work, I’m going to bend you over the workbench, and I won’t care who’s there to see it,” Ember said quietly then took a sip of his beer, his eyes not leaving the match.

“Really? Is that a promise, because I don’t mind putting my hand up for the challenge,” I said smugly “I’ve survived the last couple of days.”

“Challenge accepted,” Ember chuckled.

Our meals were laid on the bar in front of us, we ate in a comfortable silence occasionally sneaking a peek at each other. He’s killing me.

“Well, well, well, looky what we have here?” Paul’s voice boomed through the room as he loped over in our general direction. Shit!

I swiveled on my stool to face him, my shoulders slumping, “What do you want Paul?” I sighed resignedly.

“I didn’t realise they had moved the Pride meetings to the pub now?”

“Well, you seem to have received the newsletter,” Ember sneered at the arsehole turning to look him in the eye.

“You’re drunk Paul, go home and sleep it off,” I told him.

“Don’t tell me what to do fag,” Pauls' voice rose an octave.

Ember roared a humorless laugh, “Go away man, bother someone else.”

“Screw you arsehole,” he shouted at Ember.

“Jesus-Christ-Paul, what’s your problem,” I turned to the bartender, “call him a cab, will ya, he’ll be waiting out front.” I stood up walking toward Paul, “I’ve had enough of this crap Paul, it’s time for you to go home.” Taking him by the upper arm, I frog-marched him out the doors into the parking lot to wait for the cab, all the while Paul wouldn’t shut up.

“What the hell are you doing Brady?”

“Something I should have done a long time ago.” I sighed. “Stay here and wait for your cab, Paul I’ve had enough of your bullshit tonight.”

Paul stood there with a stunned look on his face as the cab pulled up behind him, I pointed, “Your ride is here. Go home, sleep it off.”

As I walked back into the pub, a few of the patrons clapped. I waved them off sitting back down next to Ember. The bartender placed a beer in front of me.

“Thanks,” I said.

Ember looked at me with a raised eyebrow, a smile breaking across his gorgeous face, in a high pitched voice, he said, “You’re my hero,” as he fluttered his eyelashes at me dramatically.

“Shut up,” I said, as we both cracked up laughing, “God he’s an arsehole.” I picked up the beer.

After I finished my drink, Ember got the attention of the bartender then paid the tab.

“Let’s go,” Ember said nodding his head in the direction of the door, he stood and waited for me to move, I wasn’t sure what was going on. I think I had a deer in the headlights look on my face, well that’s what I was thinking anyway. In the end Ember gave me a little nudge and a cheeky smile to move me along.

“Sorry Ember, I have no idea what the deal is with that guy. I can’t believe we were ever friends.” I said once we got outside the bistro.

“Hmpf, I have an inkling,” Ember retorted, “You want to come back to my place, and do some Netflix ‘n’ chill.”

I smiled lasciviously, “Chill sounds good.”

Ember squeezed my shoulder smiling, then we went to our cars, I followed him back to his place. He waited for me at the door as I exited my vehicle heading toward him. He opened his front door guiding me inside to the living room, to find Justin laying on the couch watching the television with the lights out.

“Oh, hey guys,” Justin said sitting up in a familiar looking shirt that caught my eye. Is he wearing one of Cam’s work Tee’s?

“Hey mate, having a quiet one, huh?” Ember asked.

Justin shrugged his shoulder, “Maybe, might go to the pub in a little while or something.” He pointed to the idiot box, “Did you guys want the television?”

“Nah, we’re good,” Ember said to as he pulled me toward the hallway to his room. “See you later Justin.” I waved bye to Justin as he disappeared from sight.

In Ember’s bedroom, door closed this time. He pushed me up against the door, his lips crashing into mine. His tongue forcing its way into my mouth, our tongues fighting for dominance. The kiss is scolding, possessive, and needy. It’s making me hard as a rock.

“Fuck Brady,” Ember said into my mouth, “the way you kiss me…”

“Mmm,” I groaned wrapped my mouth around his tongue sucking on it like it was a piece of candy.

Ember dropped to his knees in front of me frantically pulling my button and fly. My cock sprung free, “Argh!” I groaned at the relief I felt, my head falling back to the door with a thud. I heard Ember mutter, “Beautiful,” before he took my cock in his hot wet mouth.

“Fuck!” I mumble as the sensation of Ember’s mouth around my cock his tongue running around the underside of my head, sliding up and down over the sensitive V. God damn! It feels so good, I reached down running my fingers through his hair grasping a handful. I don’t know how Ember did it, but when I looked down I could see him stroking me single-handed alternating on and off me with his mouth.

Fuck that’s hot. His hand going to my hip, his fingers digging into my ass cheek he must be really turned on because his grip on my hip and ass is getting tighter and tighter.

“That’s fucking hot Ember, I’m not going to last.”

Ember took that as a challenge to make me cum even quicker, he sucked harder taking me all the way down until his nose was buried hard against the root of my cock. His hand moved down to his own cock now, stroking himself faster and faster while not skipping a beat on me. Oh my god the sensation is overwhelming, his throat muscles contracting around me, I felt my impending orgasm start to take over when Ember released me leaving only the tip in his mouth. The change in sensation pulling me back from the edge, but I’m still close… so very close. His eyes reached mine, he smiled at me before slamming all the way down to the root again. He groaned from deep within as he took me whole, it was too much…

“Oh fuck, Ember, oh fuck, nghhh, I’m cumming,” I moaned loudly.

I held him in place while I sent ribbon after ribbon down his throat.

“Hmm.” Ember sounded as he swallowed my release.

I looked down at Ember seeing those beautiful lips of his wrapped around the base of my cock, his hand was almost a blur as he shot all over my leg. There is nothing hotter than seeing someone cumming, from making you cum.

Exhausted, I slumped against the door, Ember released me with a pop. As he stood his hand ran up my side under my shirt against my ribs coming to rest at my nipple, our lips crashed together as he thumbed my nipple. My tongue plunged into his warm, sweet mouth, I could taste myself it was kind of dirty but so, so, hot. We groaned into each other's mouths until I broke the kiss. Reaching down I grabbed Ember’s hand feeling his cum, I looked into his eyes with a cheeky grin. Bringing his hand up to my mouth licking his remnants off one finger at a time, “You_ taste_ so_ fucking_ good,” I told him.

“Fuck-Brady, you are so dirty, so hot,” Ember said.

I gave him my most innocent look, he leaned forward re-igniting our kiss. I don’t know how long we stood there with him pressing me up against the door kissing, my feet became numb.

In the distance we both heard the front door slam, startling us. We looked into each other’s eyes, still captured in the afterglow and burst out laughing. Oops busted again.

Ember looked down at us, “We’re a mess.” Pulling me away from the door, “we should probably get cleaned up.” Ember lead me into the master ensuite, where he grabbed a cloth and under the warm running water cleaned us both, it was possessive, and also tender.

“Come on Brady, let’s go,” Ember smiled, and guided me towards the doorway. Heading out of the bedroom and along the hallway, the thought crossed my mind at how much Ember has changed, seeing him laughing and smiling is the new normal. I love that it is me that can make him laugh after all the years of heartache I caused him.

Ember snatched the remote up from the coffee table sitting on the two-seater holding his hand out for me to join him. I could get so used to this. We’ve come a long way in two weeks. I wonder how far it will go. I slipped in next to him, our bodies comfortably pressing against each other. Ember smiled at me briefly, I didn’t really care what we watched, as long as I am cuddled up next to my November.

<>-<>-<>

Ember woke me up, I had fallen asleep sometime through the movie.

“Sorry,” I said groggily.

“I didn’t want to wake you, it felt nice with you asleep on my chest. But I think your son is getting worried, he has messaged a few times. He’s a good kid Brady, you did well.”

I stood stretching and yawning, “I better go, I really don’t want to but I should.”

“Alright, I’ll see you out. You all ready for the trip tomorrow?” Ember asked as he walked me to the door.

“Yep, sure are. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said leaning in to kiss him goodnight.

“Hmm, I expect one of those in my office, seven-thirty, don’t be late,” Ember said patting me on the ass, then winked at me.

“See you then,” I smiled.

As I pulled the door open, to my surprise and his as well, I was face to face with Justin. I wasn’t sure who got the bigger shock him or me. Something over his shoulder caught my attention, frowning to get a better look, I’m sure that looks like Cam’s truck driving down the street. Justin looked over his shoulder for a second to see what had got my attention, he turned back to face me looking a little worried.

“Everything alright?” I asked Justin.

He nervously pushed past me, “Uh… um… Goodnight-Brady.” Justin disappeared down the hallway.

I looked at Ember, he shrugged his shoulders, “Wonder what that was about?”

Something…